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Abusive cab driver loses licence Abusive cab driver loses licence
(about 1 hour later)
A cab driver has lost his licence after being filmed on his own security camera verbally abusing three elderly women.A cab driver has lost his licence after being filmed on his own security camera verbally abusing three elderly women.
Elyas Haidari was taking the women, who were in their 80s, to a Southampton day centre in October when he swore at them and told them they were about to die.Elyas Haidari was taking the women, who were in their 80s, to a Southampton day centre in October when he swore at them and told them they were about to die.
He later abandoned them by the roadside after ordering them out of his vehicle.He later abandoned them by the roadside after ordering them out of his vehicle.
Southampton City Council said Mr Haidari admitted insulting them when confronted by officials. He could not be reached for comment.Southampton City Council said Mr Haidari admitted insulting them when confronted by officials. He could not be reached for comment.
'Severely frightened''Severely frightened'
The council said the taxi driver had refused to help the women - who were partially-sighted - fasten their seatbelts.The council said the taxi driver had refused to help the women - who were partially-sighted - fasten their seatbelts.
John Burke, Southampton City Council's licensing manager, said: "I think he quite severely frightened them.John Burke, Southampton City Council's licensing manager, said: "I think he quite severely frightened them.
"Within four hours of the incident taking place, the facts were put to him and he immediately admitted them." "Within four hours of the incident taking place the facts were put to him and he immediately admitted them."
The council called for all cabs to be fitted with CCTV cameras in the city. Mr Haidari's licence was revoked at the local authority's licensing committee on 26 November.
During the meeting, Councillor Brian Parnell, chairman of the committee, said: "Mr Haidari's extremely offensive behaviour, abusive language and actions towards three elderly and infirm residents, who just wanted a taxi to take them to their day centre, was truly shocking.
"The whole of this serious incident was captured on the "cabcam" fitted to the vehicle which made the evidence easy to see and hear."
'Found out anyway'
Earlier this year, the committee voted to make it compulsory for CCTV cameras to be installed in hackney carriage taxis and private hire cars, when they are due to be replaced.
But Radio Taxis (Southampton) Ltd, which booked Mr Haidari but does not employ him, said it would have found out about the verbal abuse without cameras.But Radio Taxis (Southampton) Ltd, which booked Mr Haidari but does not employ him, said it would have found out about the verbal abuse without cameras.
Graham Williams, from the firm, said: "We have not had cameras in the cars and it never made a difference then.Graham Williams, from the firm, said: "We have not had cameras in the cars and it never made a difference then.
"I think we would have picked [the incident] up even without the camera.""I think we would have picked [the incident] up even without the camera."